Central Michigan University students preserve Great Lakes shipwrecks at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Ian McCain is on an expedition this weekend, but he didn’t have to leave Michigan to do so.

McCain is one of a handful of Central Michigan University students spending the weekend at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as part of the university’s Alternative Breaks program.

During the weekend, McCain has worked to archive and preserve pieces of shipwrecks from Lake Huron at the Alpena sanctuary.

“This particular theme is close to my heart,” McCain said. “I’ve been hearing about issues with that lake and with the whole Great Lakes system my whole life.”

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McCain, who grew up near Lake St. Clair, said he’s always known about the various issues plaguing the Great Lakes.

So, when the human resource management student had the chance to sign up for the “shipwreck preservation and education” themed weekend without knowing exactly where it would take him, he jumped on the opportunity.

And now, McCain and his classmates are enjoying a weekend of archiving shipwreck remains at the sanctuary.

“I’m a huge history buff, so it’s nice to see that preservation work taking place,” he said.

Thunder Bay is one of two national sanctuaries dedicated to protect cultural resources, such as shipwrecks, media and outreach coordinator Stephanie Gandulla said.

While other national sanctuaries protect reefs and underwater canyons, Thunder Bay gets to focus on the more than 100 shipwrecks in and around the sanctuary boundaries.

Thunder Bay is also the only freshwater sanctuary in the country.

“It truly is one of the best places to find shipwrecks in the whole world,” Gandulla said. “This area of Northeast Michigan, it’s like a perfect storm of factors that would invite a whole bunch of shipwrecks to happen.”

Gandulla said the wrecks include everything from early wooden schooners to steel freighters.

A lot of contributing factors, like shallow water, high boat traffic, sudden storms and terrible weather, make the passage way a natural shipwreck site.

“It’s like a textbook of American history really can be told through these shipwrecks,” Gandulla said.

The cold fresh water of Lake Huron works to naturally preserve the wrecks as well, she said.

Gandulla said the sanctuary built a connection with CMU after its education and outreach specialist, who works through the Huron Pines AmeriCorps, first participated in an alternative break focused on American preservation.

Abbie Diaz, who graduated from CMU in December 2013, started working at the sanctuary and mentioned that the Alternative Breaks program might be something the sanctuary could connect with.

“CMU has a really great history of volunteering their time,” she said. “This is just another example of that.”

Gandulla said the sanctuary is a great alternative weekend because of the wide variety of people it appeals to.

A combination of recreation, cultural heritage, American history, natural resource preservation and technology draws a variety of different college majors, she said, like McCain.

McCain said his interest stems in revitalizing Detroit and keeping Michigan college graduates in state.

About the Author

Randi Shaffer has been the Isabella County reporter for the Morning Sun since 2012. An alumna of CMU, she is in the process of obtaining her MSA degree. Obsessions include hockey, yoga and vegetables. Reach the author at rshaffer@michigannewspapers.com
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